Massachusetts Releases First-Ever Clergy Sex Abuse Investigation for Worcester, Fall River, and Springfield

On September 30, 2026, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell released the state’s first full public accounting of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic dioceses of Worcester, Springfield, and Fall River. The report details findings from an investigation that identified more than 270 Catholic clergy members who abused nearly 1,000 children across these dioceses, with cases dating back to the 1950s. Campbell described the release as a necessary step toward institutional accountability, emphasizing that the investigation exposed the systemic failures that permitted such abuse to occur.

The report includes specific recommendations for the Catholic Church to prevent future harm, such as properly investigating allegations and maintaining transparent and accurate records. During a press conference, Campbell noted that the Worcester diocese is the only one in the state that has not disclosed a list of credibly accused priests and called on them to do so. She also advocated for legislative changes to remove barriers that prevent survivors from pursuing legal claims, specifically citing the statute of limitations as a significant obstacle given that childhood sexual abuse is often disclosed years or decades after it occurs.

The investigation began in 2019 under then-Attorney General Maura Healey, but its findings remained confidential for years, a delay that many survivors and advocates criticized. Survivors who spoke with investigators expressed feeling forgotten after being coerced into silence as children. Skip Shea, 66, told investigators in September 2021 that he was repeatedly sexually abused at St. Mary Church in Uxbridge beginning when he was 11. Another survivor, David Lewcon, 72, also met with investigators and reported being abused at the same church starting at age 16 by the same priest who abused Shea.

Campbell addressed the criticism regarding the delay in releasing the report, stating that her office had never stopped working to make the findings public and that they were not idle at any point. The release follows years of calls from the survivor community for transparency. The attorney general’s office emphasized that the investigation demonstrates the need for government action to support survivors, particularly in navigating legal systems that have historically been difficult for victims of childhood abuse to access.

The findings underscore the moral and legal imperative for institutions to uphold justice and care for victims, reflecting the biblical call to seek truth and mercy in public life. As outlined in Micah 6:8, the pursuit of justice and humility is central to addressing institutional failure. The report serves as a factual record of past misconduct, distinct from individual criminal convictions, while highlighting the ongoing need for legal reform and institutional transparency to protect future generations.

Source: Read the original report